Struggling Homeowners Negotiate with Mortgage Lenders

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - March 30, 2008 - Hundreds of struggling homeowners showed up in Columbus today to meet with lenders and state office holders to talk about the foreclosure crisis.

Organizers say these foreclosure fairs help homeowners who may be too paralyzed with fear to pick up a phone and call their lender as they fall behind in their mortgage payments and risk foreclosure.

The fair allows homeowners to meet with housing counselors to discuss their options and get financial advice.

Tom Leech is regional director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He warned people to avoid potential scam artists offering to pay credit on a home on the brink of foreclosure.